Hay & Kilner, Smart Works Newcastle and Mazars are among a collection of businesses that have announced new appointments.

Hay & Kilner – Alexis Wood and Michael Taylor, training contracts

Two young North East lawyers have been appointed as solicitors by North East law firm Hay & Kilner after successfully completing a two-year training programme.

Alexis Wood and Michael Taylor have both undertaken four blocks of six months in different departments within the Newcastle headquartered firm, which helped them gain a range of practical legal experience and identify their particular strengths and areas of interest.

Alexis and Michael undertook training seats across Hay & Kilner’s clinical negligence, commercial property, private client and construction teams before settling on joining its private client and clinical negligence teams respectively.

Alongside their on-the-job learning, they also completed the Professional Skills Course at Northumbria University, which is a mandatory qualification run by the Solicitors Regulation Authority which must be successfully undertaken prior to an individual practising as a solicitor.

Michael holds a law degree from Durham University and a Legal Practice Course qualification from Northumbria University, while Alexis took a chemistry degree at Durham University before deciding on a change of career direction.

She spent a year working as a paralegal in Hay & Kilner’s residential property unit before beginning her traineeship, a position she took on after completing her Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course qualifications at Northumbria.

Alexis Wood said: “The variety of work, the range and regularity of client contact and the industry reputation of our partners in this area made private client work stand out for me and I’m enjoying being part of a very supportive and encouraging team.”

Michael Taylor added: “The firm very quickly responded to the evolving situation and made sure all the advice, support and guidance that is key to any training contract remain easily accessible.”

Smart Works Newcastle – Lisa Eaton, Kate Meredith, Julie Maughan, Sarah Pavlou, Leanne Welford and Lynsey Todd, members of the board of trustees

Smart Works Newcastle, a charity that helps unemployed women back into work, has appointed six new members to its Board of Trustees.

Lisa Eaton, Kate Meredith, Julie Maughan, Sarah Pavlou, Leanne Welford, and Lynsey Todd all bring “invaluable skills” to the organisation as it ramps up plans to double the number of women it supports in the North East, which currently has the highest rates of unemployment in England.

Smart Works Newcastle’s Chair of Trustees, Sophie Milliken, commented: “This is a really exciting time to welcome new trustees to the board. All six new members will have specific areas of responsibility, playing a key role in driving growth and, ultimately, helping more women into employment and fulfilling careers” 

The new trustees will complement an already diverse and experienced board that is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations and fundraising, as well as encouraging participation in the charity’s coaching and dressing service.

Lisa Eaton, managing director of marketing enterprises Unwritten Group and Fabric Academy, said: “I’m beyond excited to help drive Smart Works Newcastle forwards and achieve our ambitious objectives. I’m looking forward to supporting the executive team to scale their offer and reach a larger audience”.

Kate Meredith, Turkey, Middle East & East Africa finance director at MSD added: “I was initially drawn to the organisation after seeing how much of a confidence boost and springboard it can be for women wanting to turn their life around.”

Julie Maughan, a freelance HR consultant and coach, who also sits as an employment tribunal member in Newcastle, said: “I understand that gaining secure employment – and the confidence that can bring, can be life-changing. I feel privileged to be part of the team at Smart Works Newcastle.”

Mazars – Chloe Ellis, office managing partner

Mazars, the international audit, tax and advisory firm, has appointed Chloë Ellis as Office managing partner in Leeds, succeeding Oliver Hoffman after almost a decade in the role.

The Leeds office is one of Mazars’ largest outside of London, having nearly tripled its team in less than ten years, and now boasting 240 people.

Chloë, who has over 20 years’ experience in providing advice to owner-managed businesses and large corporate groups with complex international tax issues, joined Mazars as a partner in 2020.

Oliver Hoffman, partner and national Head of M&A, said: “It has been a great privilege to lead the team since 2012, and we have marked many significant milestones in recent years, including growing the team substantially and moving into our landmark office at Wellington Place.

“Chloë will lead a fantastic and dynamic team supporting a client base to be very proud of and I firmly believe that she will take the business from strength to strength in the years ahead”.

Chloë added: “I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to drive the Leeds office forward. We have some truly fantastic people in Leeds and that, combined with the vibrant city in which we operate and the clients we serve, means it is a very exciting time for Mazars in the city.

“We have made significant investments over the last few years, both in our high calibre team and our location, which means that we are excellently placed to continue to flourish in future. I look forward to, and am excited by, the journey ahead for us all”.